Arrive Bangkok and check-in to the hotel. The rest of the day is free. You may choose to take an optional cruise along the city's Klongs (canals) in a traditional longtail boat - an ideal way to explore Bangkok's network of backwaters that branch off from the Chao Phraya River. The excursion will also include visits to Wat Arun, the Royal Barge Museum and the Temple of the Dawn, built to represent the towering slopes of Mount Meru - the Khmer's mythical home of the Gods. Alternatively if time permits you may choose to visit the remarkable Royal Palace.

No cycling today.

This morning we set off by bus (1hr) for the famous floating markets of Damoen Saduak. After a quick exploration on foot we have our bike fitting session, making any minor adjustments to ensure all are comfortable. We then mount up and ride through verdant tropical gardens, past coconut palms and banana trees. Our route snakes its way through shaded farmland, over small rivers and canals before finally ending at Amphawa, one of the most scenic and popular floating markets in the country. We return to Bangkok by bus and later this evening see a different side to the capital on a night cycle ride to vibrant Chinatown. Here we get to sample some of the many traditional street foods that make the area so lively at night.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 50 kilometres (flat).

We drive north (1.5hrs) to Ayutthaya, the former capital of the Kingdom of Siam. Ayutthaya is situated on an island at the confluence of three rivers, the Chao Phraya, Pa Sak and Lopburi Rivers. This strong defensive position helped the city retain power for over 400 years, during which time it became extremely wealthy. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the city is still a stunning complex of palaces, shrines, stupas and monasteries. Our cycle route today starts amongst the ruined temples and we pause to take in the best views as we wind our way through the complex. Moving on north we cycle past rice paddies alongside sleepy rivers. We pass through little towns on a mixture of dirt tracks and paved roads, picking a local restaurant for our lunch break (not included). Re-joining our support vehicles we then have a longer drive upcountry (3-4hrs) to reach Kampaeng Phet and our hotel for tonight.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 60 kilometres (mostly flat).

This morning we visit a local supermarket to stock up on picnic supplies before exploring the ruins of Kampaeng Phet on foot. Dating back to the 14th century and contemporary with the better-known kingdom of Sukhothai, Kampaeng Phet's prominence continued until the Ayutthaya period took over, some two hundred years later. We start cycling from here exploring sleepy towns and rural landscapes, stopping to enjoy our picnic and relax in the shade of a local temple near Khlong Khang Nai dam. Ending our ride just outside of Sukhothai, we transfer the final short distance by vehicle to our hotel.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 70 kilometres (total accumulated ascent 300 metres and 340 metres descent).

Our hotel is just a short ride from Sukhothai Historical Park, and first thing this morning we explore the ancient ruins by bicycle. Sukhothai was the first capital of Siam and at the pinnacle of Thai civilisation for over 200 years up to the end of the 1400s. It then went into decline as Ayutthaya took over as the most important city in the area, and was deserted until the 19th Century when it was discovered as a lost city in the jungle. The city has now been fully excavated and it comprises 21 historical sites within the city walls and a further 70 outside. Perfect for exploring on two wheels our route is about 11km on the flat and should take us around 2.5 hours, stopping along the way to see more detail of the principal temples on foot. We then return to our hotel, check out and start our drive (1.5hrs) into the mountains to the scenic Taksin Maharat National Park. Back on the bikes and now in hillier terrain we cycle up to a view point where we continue on foot into the jungle to view a 700-year-old mighty Krabak tree measuring 50m high and 16m in circumference. We continue to cycle through a nearby hilltribe village, along dirt tracks and winding village lanes. This marks the end of our cycling adventure today and in Thailand and the bikes will be shipped back to Bangkok. From here we drive (1hr) down to Mae Sot and check into our hotel for the evening.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 30 kilometres (total accumulated ascent 580 metres and 640 metres descent).

This morning we depart early to cross into Burma! It is a short drive to the border where the Burmese Explore Leader meets us at immigration and we say goodbye to our Thai Leader and crew. There will be time to use the money exchange facilities and ATMs. Now in another land, surprisingly different and significantly less developed than Thailand, we drive away from the hustle and bustle of the busy border town of Myawaddy and down through the forested hills to eventually reach our hotel in Hpa An after about 5 hours, stopping at a local restaurant for a typical Burmese lunch on the way. Road conditions make for slow going on this section. Nestled in the centre of some spectacular limestone ranges, Hpa An is the capital of Karen State with a small town feel and a bustling atmosphere full of friendly locals. There will be a short and flat ride later this afternoon via Kaw Gun Cave. Also known as the Cave of 10,000 Buddhas, the cave is filled with Buddha images of various sizes, the oldest dating back to the 7th Century. We continue to Shwe Yin Myaw Pagoda to watch the sunset, with some time to get familiar and comfortable with our 'Burmese' bikes making any minor adjustments before we start our ride. We return to the hotel by bus.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 30 kilometres (flat).

An amazing day awaits us as we explore more of the caves and temples in the area surrounding Hpa An. We cycle from our hotel to Bayin Nyi Naung cave. After a short visit we cycle alongside the Thanlyin River, taking in river life, fishing boats and the cries of 'mingalabar' (hello) from friendly local villagers. The scenery is nothing short of fantastic, with karst peaks jutting out of rice paddies, including the impressive 722 metre high Mount Zwegabin. We stop for a simple and typical Burmese lunch before continuing to a natural spring where we can join the locals for a refreshing dip. Finally in the early afternoon we cycle back to Hpa An and the remainder of the day is free to relax. In the late afternoon we plan an excursion to visit Kyaukalat Pagoda for sunset by vehicle. The cycle ride today is 95% on paved roads.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 40 kilometres (flat).

We bid farewell to Hpa An this morning and commence our ride to Mawlamyine on a route that takes us along flat roads with little traffic amid magnificent karst formations. Our first stop is at Saddar Cave - an enormous cavern that houses a reclining Buddha. We leave the cave on simple sampans crossing a lake and passing through another cave to reach our bikes. Along our route we will pause for another Burmese lunch. Later we stop to visit a beautiful monastery on the way to Mawlamyine. The cycle ride ends at Zar Tar Pyin from where we drive the final section into Mawlamyine itself and our hotel where we spend the next two nights. The former British capital of lower Burma, Mawlamyine was visited and written about by Rudyard Kipling in 1889. The charming atmosphere remains and the waterfront is a lively place to visit. In the mornings fishing boats and passenger ferries keep the piers and the nearby market busy. In the evening people gather for a great view of sunset over the river. There is much to explore! The Tour Leader will lead a short orientation tour and sunset stroll along the strand waterfront. The cycle ride today is 85% on paved roads and the tour bus cannot access much of the route, but the support truck will be able to accompany.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 60 kilometres (flat).

A relaxing pace sets the tone today and for those interested there is an optional ride to Win Sein Tawya to see the world's largest reclining Buddha. At 180 metres in length and 30 metres high, there is room for an eight-storey building inside! We travel by bus back to Mawlamyine where you have some free time to explore on your own. Other options for today include a Thanlyin river boat ride or a visit to Bilu Island. We meet up in the late afternoon to visit the 9th century Kyaikthanlan Phayar (Pagoda), the highest structure in the city, to enjoy the sunset and views across the Thanlywin River to Bilu Island. This evening there is the option to experience a traditional Mon-style dinner.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 35 kilometres (total accumulated ascent 280 metres and descent) (optional).

We start the day with a drive (3hrs) to Billin town where today's cycle ride commences. On a mixture of paved and unpaved quiet roads our cycle route takes us off the beaten track through 'real' rural Burma. We ride through rubber plantations, past paddy fields, over wooden bridges and through small villages where virtually no tourists go. If time permits we will stop at a local house for a tea break or to play a local ball game (chin lone). The ride ends near Kyaikhtiyo township and we continue the short remaining distance (15km) by vehicle to our hotel in Kinpun where we spend the next two nights. The cycle ride today is 95% on paved roads.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 55 kilometres (flat).

After breakfast we start a loop ride on the unpaved back roads of Kyaiktyo through rubber and teak plantations. The route crosses narrow bamboo bridges that cars cannot pass so much of the route will not be accompanied by our support truck or bus. Around half of today's route is on unpaved roads and tracks. The final 16 km is on paved road as we return to our hotel. In the late afternoon we drive the short distance to the foot of Mount Kyaikhtiyo, or Kin Pun 'base camp'. From here we take an open air truck 11 km up the steep slopes to Yathetaung. From here we walk for approximately 45 minutes to the mystical and highly revered Mount Kyaikhtiyo Pagoda in time for sunset. Also known as Golden Rock, this pagoda is centred around a large boulder balancing precariously on the edge of a cliff near the top of the mountain, supposedly held in place by a hair of the Buddha. If interested in walking the whole distance up the mountain please speak with the Tour Leader beforehand and you would have to miss the cycle ride earlier today. Soak up the atmosphere and take in the panoramic views before returning to our hotel.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 35 kilometres (total accumulated ascent 210 metres and 160 metres descent) (no vehicle support).

After breakfast, our day continues on the bike, cycling through small plantations, traditional villages and hamlets on our way to Bago. Our cycle route today follows undulating and unpaved roads and tracks and the first 4 km of today's route involves retracing the end of yesterday's ride. As with yesterday vehicles cannot access the route so there is no vehicle support today. After lunch at a local restaurant we ride to the main road from where we'll drive 1.5hrs to the town of Bago. Founded in 573AD, it is home to a number of sacred shrines and pagodas, including the Shwemawdaw Paya (the Golden God Temple) the tallest pagoda in the country. We drive to visit the pagoda in the late afternoon, as well as the 55-metre long Shwethalyaung Reclining Buddha (the second largest in the world) and the four-seated Buddha at Kyaik Pun Pagoda.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 60 kilometres (total accumulated ascent 200 metres and descent) (no vehicle support).

Back on paved roads today our final cycle ride should offer plenty of opportunity to see farmers at work as we cycle alongside paddy fields, livestock farms and lakes. Our ride ends as we get closer to the city and the roads begin to get congested and busy. We drive for around 2 hours to Rangoon and along the way we plan to visit the moving Taukkyan Commonwealth War Cemetery. In the late afternoon we make time to visit the old downtown are and Bogyoke market (formerly known as Scott's Market, closed on Mondays, full moons and public holidays). Finally we visit the famous Shwedagon Pagoda for sunset. The stupa glitters from the gold leaf, diamonds and other gems it is adorned with and is believed to enshrine eight hairs of the Buddha. Being part of the evening scene here will be an experience in and of itself! Tonight we celebrate the end of our journey with a final group supper in Rangoon. For those wishing to spend more than one night and extra time in Rangoon, particularly if you have a morning flight home, we suggest booking an extra night post tour accommodation.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 40 kilometres (total accumulated ascent 130 metres and descent).

Tour ends after breakfast.